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BioMed Research International 2022A rare type of pneumonia later on referred to as COVID-19 was reported in China in December 2019. Investigations revealed that this disease is caused by a coronavirus... (Review)
Review
A rare type of pneumonia later on referred to as COVID-19 was reported in China in December 2019. Investigations revealed that this disease is caused by a coronavirus previously identified as SARS-CoV-2, and since then, it has become a global pandemic with new strains emerging rapidly as a result of genetic mutations. Various therapeutic options are being explored in order to eradicate this pandemic even though approved vaccine candidates are being currently rolled out globally. Most medicinal plant extracts have astonishing properties, and they can therefore be used in the biosynthesis of effective antiviral nanoparticles. In this systematic review, we aimed to highlight the specific attributes that make (neem plant) a suitable candidate for the biosynthesis of anti-SARS-CoV-2 nanoparticles. A systematic investigation was therefore carried out in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and AJOL databases with the keywords "Nanoparticles," "Biosynthesis," "Antivirals," "SARS-CoV-2," and "." 1216 articles were retrieved by the 21 of February 2022, but we screened studies that reported data on biomedical and antimicrobial assessment of extracts. We also screened studies that were reporting nanoparticles possessing antiviral properties against SARS-C0V-2, narrowing our results to 98 reports. Herein, the SARS-CoV-2 viral structure is briefly discussed with nanoparticles of biomedical importance in the design of SARS-CoV-2 antivirals. Most importantly, we focused on the biomedical and antiviral properties of extracts that could be of importance in the design of potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 nanoformulations.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Azadirachta; Nanoparticles; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 36158879
DOI: 10.1155/2022/5714035 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2023In Japan, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality and hepatitis C virus infection is a major cause of HCC. We conducted a systematic review... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence in Japan: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
In Japan, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality and hepatitis C virus infection is a major cause of HCC. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies evaluating patient response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C on the risk of HCC occurrence in Japan. Articles were searched using terms determined a priori through PubMed, screened by title and abstract, and selected by full-text assessment according to criteria determined a priori, including HCC occurrence in response to interferon (IFN)-based or IFN-free therapy, Japanese study, and 2 or more years of follow-up. We excluded studies on HCC recurrence. We calculated the pooled estimate of the crude incidence rate ratio with data from the selected studies using the person-years method with Poisson regression model and pooled estimate of the hazard ratio adjusted for potential confounders reported by the studies using a random effects model. A total of 26 studies were identified, all of which examined only IFN-based therapy as a result of the selection process. The pooled estimate (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 25 studies was 0.37 (0.33-0.43) for sustained virologic response (SVR) and 1.70 (1.61-1.80) for non-SVR for the HCC incidence rate per 100 person-years, and 0.22 (0.19-0.26) for the incidence rate ratio (SVR vs. non-SVR). The pooled estimate of the hazard ratio (95% CI) of HCC incidence adjusted for potential confounders of 8 studies was 0.25 (0.19-0.34). SVR to interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C reduces the risk of HCC occurrence.
Topics: Humans; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Japan; Liver Neoplasms; Interferons; Antiviral Agents
PubMed: 36859564
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30467-5 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2014Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a painful and refractory complication of herpes zoster. Treatments are either partially or totally ineffective for many people with PHN.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a painful and refractory complication of herpes zoster. Treatments are either partially or totally ineffective for many people with PHN. Antiviral agents, used at the time of the rash, have been proposed as an intervention to prevent the development of PHN. This is the first update since the first publication of the review in 2009.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness of antiviral agents in preventing PHN.
SEARCH METHODS
On 26 April 2013, we updated the searches in the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and the Chinese Biomedical Retrieval System. We checked the references of published studies to identify additional trials, and contacted authors to obtain additional data. We searched other databases in The Cochrane Library for information for the Discussion and two clinical trials registries for ongoing trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We considered all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of antiviral treatment given within 72 hours after the onset of herpes zoster for preventing PHN. There were no language restrictions.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently selected trials, evaluated the risk of bias in included trials, and extracted and analysed data.
MAIN RESULTS
Six RCTs with a total of 1211 participants were eligible; five trials evaluated oral aciclovir, and one, with 419 participants, evaluated oral famciclovir. We were able to conduct meta-analyses as there were sufficient similarities in the included studies, such as the reporting of the presence of PHN, duration of rash before treatment initiation and treatment regimen. For our primary outcome, based on three trials (609 participants) we found no significant difference between the aciclovir and control groups in the incidence of PHN four months after the onset of the acute herpetic rash (risk ratio (RR) 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51 to 1.11), nor was there a significant difference at six months (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.27, two trials, 476 participants). In four of the trials (692 participants), there was some evidence for a reduction in the incidence of pain four weeks after the onset of rash. In the trial of famciclovir versus placebo, neither 500 mg nor 750 mg doses of famciclovir reduced the incidence of herpetic neuralgia significantly. The most commonly reported adverse events were nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and headache for aciclovir, and headache and nausea for famciclovir. For neither treatment was the incidence of adverse events significantly different from placebo. None of the studies were at high risk of bias, although the risk of bias was unclear in at least one domain for all but one study. We found no new RCTs when we updated the searches in April 2013.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is high quality evidence that oral aciclovir does not reduce the incidence of PHN significantly. In addition, there is insufficient evidence to determine the effect of other antiviral treatments; therefore, further well-designed RCTs are needed to investigate famciclovir or other new antiviral agents in preventing PHN. Future trials should pay more attention to the severity of pain and quality of life of participants, and should be conducted among different subgroups of people, such as people who are immunocompromised.
Topics: 2-Aminopurine; Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Famciclovir; Humans; Neuralgia, Postherpetic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 24500927
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006866.pub3 -
Leukemia Jun 2021Data on the efficacy and safety of interferon (IFN)-α for the treatment of essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) are inconsistent. We conducted a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Data on the efficacy and safety of interferon (IFN)-α for the treatment of essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) are inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis and searched MEDLINE and EMBASE via Ovid, Scopus, COCHRANE registry of clinical trials, and Web of Science from inception through 03/2019 for studies of pegylated IFN (peg-IFN) and non-pegylated IFN (non-peg-IFN) in PV and ET patients. Random-effects models were used to pool response rates for the primary outcome of overall response rate (ORR) defined as a composite of complete response, partial response, complete hematologic response (CHR) and partial hematologic response. Peg-IFN and non-peg-IFN were compared by meta-regression analyses. In total, 44 studies with 1359 patients (730 ET, 629 PV) were included. ORR were 80.6% (95% confidence interval: 76.6-84.1%, CHR: 59.0% [51.5%-66.1%]) and 76.7% (67.4-84.0%; CHR: 48.5% [37.8-59.4%]) for ET and PV patients, respectively. In meta-regression analyses results did not differ significantly for non-peg-IFN vs. peg-IFN. Annualized rates of thromboembolic complications and treatment discontinuation due to adverse events were low at 1.2% and 8.8% for ET and 0.5% and 6.5% for PV patients, respectively. Both peg-IFN and non-peg-IFN can be effective and safe long-term treatments for ET and PV.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Humans; Interferon-alpha; Polycythemia Vera; Thrombocythemia, Essential
PubMed: 32868875
DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-01020-4 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2016Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is a clinical syndrome, usually caused by the Epstein Barr virus (EPV), characterised by lymphadenopathy, fever and sore throat. Most cases... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is a clinical syndrome, usually caused by the Epstein Barr virus (EPV), characterised by lymphadenopathy, fever and sore throat. Most cases of symptomatic IM occur in older teenagers or young adults. Usually IM is a benign self-limiting illness and requires only symptomatic treatment. However, occasionally the disease course can be complicated or prolonged and lead to decreased productivity in terms of school or work. Antiviral medications have been used to treat IM, but the use of antivirals for IM is controversial. They may be effective by preventing viral replication which helps to keep the virus inactive. However, there are no guidelines for antivirals in IM.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of antiviral therapy for infectious mononucleosis (IM).
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Issue 3, March 2016), which contains the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE (1946 to 15 April 2016), Embase (1974 to 15 April 2016), CINAHL (1981 to 15 April 2016), LILACS (1982 to 15 April 2016) and Web of Science (1955 to 15 April 2016). We searched the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov for completed and ongoing trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing antivirals versus placebo or no treatment in IM. We included trials of immunocompetent participants of any age or sex with clinical and laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of IM, who had symptoms for up to 14 days. Our primary outcomes were time to clinical recovery and adverse events and side effects of medication. Secondary outcomes included duration of abnormal clinical examination, complications, viral shedding, health-related quality of life, days missing from school or work and economic outcomes.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed studies for inclusion, assessed the included studies' risk of bias and extracted data using a customised data extraction sheet. We used the GRADE criteria to rate the quality of the evidence. We pooled heterogeneous data where possible, and presented the results narratively where we could not statistically combine data.
MAIN RESULTS
We included seven RCTs with a total of 333 participants in our review. Three trials studied hospitalised patients, two trials were conducted in an outpatient setting, while the trial setting was unclear in two studies. Participants' ages ranged from two years to young adults. The type of antiviral, administration route, and treatment duration varied between the trials. The antivirals in the included studies were acyclovir, valomaciclovir and valacyclovir. Follow-up varied from 20 days to six months. The diagnosis of IM was based on clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters.The risk of bias for all included studies was either unclear or high risk of bias. The quality of evidence was graded as very low for all outcomes and so the results should be interpreted with caution. There were statistically significant improvements in the treatment group for two of the 12 outcomes. These improvements may be of limited clinical significance.There was a mean reduction in 'time to clinical recovery as assessed by physician' of five days in the treatment group but with wide confidence intervals (CIs) (95% CI -8.04 to -1.08; two studies, 87 participants). Prospective studies indicate that clinical signs and symptoms may take one month or more to resolve and that fatigue may be persistent in approximately 10% of patients at six-month follow-up, so this may not be a clinically meaningful result.Trial results for the outcome 'adverse events and side effects of medication' were reported narratively in only five studies. In some reports authors were unsure whether an adverse event was related to medication or complication of disease. These results could not be pooled due to the potential for double counting results but overall, the majority of trials reporting this outcome did not find any significant difference between treatment and control groups.There was a mean reduction in 'duration of lymphadenopathy' of nine days (95% CI -11.75 to -6.14, two studies, 61 participants) in favour of the treatment group.In terms of viral shedding, the overall effect from six studies was that viral shedding was suppressed while on antiviral treatment, but this effect was not sustained when treatment stopped.For all other outcomes there was no statistically significant difference between antiviral treatment and control groups.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The effectiveness of antiviral agents (acyclovir, valomaciclovir and valacyclovir) in acute IM is uncertain. The quality of the evidence is very low. The majority of included studies were at unclear or high risk of bias and so questions remain about the effectiveness of this intervention. Although two of the 12 outcomes have results that favour treatment over control, the quality of the evidence of these results is very low and may not be clinically meaningful. Alongside the lack of evidence of effectiveness, decision makers need to consider the potential adverse events and possible associated costs, and antiviral resistance. Further research in this area is warranted.
Topics: Acute Disease; Acyclovir; Adolescent; Adult; Antiviral Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Guanine; Humans; Infectious Mononucleosis; Male; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Valacyclovir; Valine; Young Adult
PubMed: 27933614
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011487.pub2 -
Expert Review of Gastroenterology &... Jun 2018Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most important cause of hepatocellular carcinoma in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although the tools to curb the epidemic are known,... (Review)
Review
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most important cause of hepatocellular carcinoma in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although the tools to curb the epidemic are known, only a minority of HBV-infected persons are currently diagnosed and treated. Areas covered: We discuss HBV epidemiological trends in SSA, describe important determinants of its natural history, and summarize current knowledge on the continuum of HBV care. Using the results of a systematic review of the literature, we describe the proportion of patients with liver fibrosis at presentation for care. Throughout the manuscript, we highlight major research gaps and explore potential ways to improve uptake of HBV testing, evaluation of liver disease, access to antiviral therapy and monitoring of complications. Expert commentary: Less than 1% of HBV-infected individuals are diagnosed in SSA, despite the availability of rapid tests with good diagnostic accuracy. Up to 15% of individuals enter care with liver cirrhosis, a clear indication for antiviral therapy. Although the proportion of patients eligible for immediate antiviral treatment is generally below 20%, there are few published data from prospective cohort studies. The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma could be reduced with improved access to antiviral therapy.
Topics: Africa South of the Sahara; Antiviral Agents; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Disease Progression; Hepatitis B; Humans; Incidence; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms; Mass Screening; Predictive Value of Tests; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29737218
DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2018.1474097 -
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Sep 2013Despite the use of antivirals to treat patients with severe influenza, questions remain with respect to effects and safety. Although a recent systematic review has... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Despite the use of antivirals to treat patients with severe influenza, questions remain with respect to effects and safety. Although a recent systematic review has provided some indication of benefit, the analysis is limited by the quality of the available evidence from randomized controlled trials. To supplement the existing information, the authors conducted a systematic review of observational studies of antiviral treatment for influenza. This report summarises the findings of that review. Similar to the randomised trials, the confidence in the estimates of the effects for decision-making is low to very low primarily due to the risk of selection and publication bias in the observational studies. From these observational studies, the summary estimates suggest that oseltamivir may reduce mortality, hospitalisation and duration of symptoms compared with no treatment. Inhaled zanamivir may also reduce symptom duration and hospitalisations, but patients may experience more complications compared with no treatment. Earlier treatment with antivirals is generally associated with better outcomes than later treatment. Further high-quality evidence is needed to inform treatment guidelines because of the overall low to very low quality of evidence.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Influenza, Human; Oseltamivir; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome; Zanamivir
PubMed: 24034489
DOI: 10.1111/irv.12085 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Dec 2017The growth of new therapeutic options and practices increases the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in patients with haematologic malignancies and/or patients... (Review)
Review
Screening, monitoring, prevention, prophylaxis and therapy for hepatitis B virus reactivation in patients with haematologic malignancies and patients who underwent haematologic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review.
BACKGROUND
The growth of new therapeutic options and practices increases the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in patients with haematologic malignancies and/or patients undergoing haematologic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
OBJECTIVES
To provide a systematic review supporting recommendations for prevention, monitoring, prophylaxis and therapy of HBV reactivation in patients with haematologic malignancies and HSCT.
DATA SOURCES
The systematic review was based on a strategy using PubMed and the Cochrane Library searching literature published from 1991 to December 31, 2016. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines were followed.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized control trials, prospective and retrospective cohort studies.
RISK-OF-BIAS ASSESSMENT
Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.
RESULTS
Forty-two studies of fair or good quality were included in this systematic review. The following main results were obtained: haematologic patients should be screened for HBV before chemotherapy; HBV DNA levels should be monthly monitored in all HBV-positive patients not receiving prophylaxis; hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive haematologic patients and patients undergoing HSCT should receive prophylaxis and third-generation HBV drugs should be provided; and anti-hepatitis B core protein-positive lymphoma patients and patients who underwent HSCT should receive antiviral prophylaxis.
CONCLUSIONS
A higher quality of evidence is needed. However, the level of evidence was sufficient to support the recommendations published in this issue of the journal.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Hematologic Neoplasms; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Hepatitis B; Humans; Recurrence; Secondary Prevention; Virus Activation
PubMed: 28668465
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.06.024 -
Burns : Journal of the International... Feb 2017The contribution of human herpes viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and varicella zoster virus (VZV) to morbidity and mortality after... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The contribution of human herpes viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and varicella zoster virus (VZV) to morbidity and mortality after burns remains controversial. This systematic review was undertaken to assess evidence of herpes virus-related morbidity and mortality in burns.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PubMed, Ovid, and Web of Science were searched to identify studies of HSV, CMV, or VZV infections in burn patients. Exclusion criteria included: A level of evidence (LoE) of IV or V; nonhuman in vivo studies; and non-English articles. There was no limitation by publication date.
RESULTS
Fifty articles were subjected to full-text analysis. Of these, 18 had LoE between I-III and were included in the final review (2 LoE I, 16 LoE II-III). Eight had a prospective study design, 9 had a retrospective study design, and 1 included both.
CONCLUSIONS
No direct evidence linked CMV and HSV infection with increased morbidity and mortality in burns. Following burn, CMV reactivation was more common than a primary CMV infection. Active HSV infection impaired wound healing but was not directly correlated to mortality. Infections with VZV are rare after burns but when they occur, VZV infections were associated with severe complications including mortality. The therapeutic effect of antiviral agents administered after burns warrants investigation via prospective randomized controlled trials.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Burns; Chickenpox; Cytomegalovirus; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Herpes Simplex; Herpes Zoster; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Humans; Simplexvirus; Virus Activation
PubMed: 27515422
DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2016.02.003 -
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Mar 2015Treatment for chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) is rapidly changing and moving away from an interferon and ribavirin-based therapy to interferon-free ribavirin-free all oral... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Treatment for chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) is rapidly changing and moving away from an interferon and ribavirin-based therapy to interferon-free ribavirin-free all oral regimens. These regimens are simpler and shorter to administer with very high efficacy rates and better side effect profiles. As advances in the treatment of CH-C occur, it is imperative to capture both clinical outcomes (efficacy and safety) as well as patient-reported outcomes (PROs). In fact, PROs assesses and quantifies the impact of these regimens on patient experience. PROs assess patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) especially in the realms of fatigue and neuropsychiatric issues such as depression which can affect treatment adherence and work productivity.
AIM
To review the literature related to PRO's in HCV patients and summarise the impact of CH-C and its treatment on PROs.
METHODS
Databases Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed were searched from 1990 to October 2014 using a combination of MEsh, thesaurus terms and relevant text words: hepatitis C, CH-C, treatment, quality of life, health-related quality of life, fatigue, work productivity, adherence, patient-reported outcomes, direct acting anti-viral agents and second generation direct acting anti-viral agents. Each manuscript was assessed for pertinence to the issue of PROs in CH-C as well as the quality of study design and publications.
RESULTS
From the literature, it is evident that CH-C patients have baseline PRO impairment. Furthermore, treatment with interferon with or without ribavirin and first generation DAAs causes additional PRO burden which can negatively impact treatment adherence and indirectly, treatment efficacy and work productivity. The new treatment regimens with interferon- and ribavirin-free regimens not only have very high efficacy, but also result in the improvement of PRO scores as early as 2 weeks into treatment as well as possibly better adherence to treatment regimens.
CONCLUSIONS
CH-C and its treatment have been associated with patient-reported outcome impairment. The new IF-free and RBV-free regimens are associated with high efficacy and substantial improvement of patient-reported outcomes in clinical trial setting. Although very encouraging, more data are needed to assess patient-reported outcomes, adherence and work productivity of CH-C patients in the real world setting of clinical practice.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Drug Therapy, Combination; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Humans; Interferons; Patient Outcome Assessment; Quality of Life; Ribavirin; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25616122
DOI: 10.1111/apt.13090